The government has moved to strengthen the country’s law enforcement infrastructures with a comprehensive Taka 707.55 crore development project aimed at constructing police outposts, investigation centres, camps and specialised police facilities across Bangladesh.

The project, titled “Construction of Police Outposts/Investigation Centres, Camps, River Police Centres, Railway Police Stations and Outposts, Tourist Police Centres, and Police Stations/Outposts for the Highway Police at Various Locations Across the Country,” will be implemented by Bangladesh Police under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project to this end in its meeting held recently.

According to Planning Commission officials, the project is estimated to cost Taka 707.55 crore and will be fully financed by the government of Bangladesh. The implementation period has been set to September 2028, covering 48 districts under all eight administrative divisions.

The main objective of the project is to enhance the operational efficiency of the police by providing adequate office and residential facilities for the expanded police workforce, thereby enabling quicker and more effective control of law and order situations.

Commenting on the project, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud in the ECNEC meeting said that the project covers construction of police outposts and camps, river police centres, railway police, tourist police, highway police, immigration police, and various checkposts. “There are so many units, but there is no ample arrangement for where they will stay…Therefore, these facilities are extremely necessary and should have been provided earlier. For a long time, the opportunities and benefits for police personnel have remained limited.”

Talking to BSS, a Planning Commission official said the project includes construction and civil works for police facilities, procurement of furniture and fixtures for project and police offices, supply of furniture for police camps, investigation centres, river police centres, railway police, tourist police, highway police and immigration police outposts and checkpoints. In addition, computers and equipment will be procured for the Project Director’s office, while afforestation and landscaping will also be undertaken.

Officials said police camps and outposts, similar to police stations and investigation centres, play a crucial role in handling emergency needs maintaining public order. However, many of these facilities currently operate from temporary structures, rented houses or dilapidated buildings, severely limiting operational efficiency.

The Planning Commission official said the project also aims to strengthen the infrastructural capacity of the Highway Police to better control road accidents, criminal activities such as mugging, robbery and extortion, and to monitor unfit and unauthorized vehicles on highways.

In the waterways sector, the River Police are responsible for ensuring passenger and cargo safety, preventing crimes including piracy and robbery, monitoring overloading and taking action against unfit vessels. Due to a lack of adequate infrastructure, achieving desired performance levels has been difficult, making infrastructure development essential.

Furthermore, most existing Railway Police stations and outposts are in poor condition, highlighting the urgent need for renovation and construction of new facilities. With the steady rise in tourist arrivals and rapid expansion of tourism-related activities, the Tourist Police are also facing challenges due to limited infrastructure and logistics. The project therefore includes construction of modern Tourist Police Centres at key tourist destinations.

The Planning Commission observed that implementation of the project would significantly enhance the police’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to law and order challenges by ensuring proper office and residential facilities.
The Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission reviewed the project at a Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting held on August 4, 2025. Following detailed scrutiny, the PEC recommended the project for approval by the ECNEC.

With the approval by the ECNEC, the project is expected to contribute substantially to improving public safety, strengthening law enforcement coverage and supporting the government’s efforts to maintain peace and order across the country.